Bachelor of Information Sciences (Information Technology)

The Bachelor of Information Sciences (Information Technology) will combine your love of problem-solving and technology with the skills to analyse, design, build and manage a huge range of IT systems, projects and resources.

Specialise in Information Technology for your Bachelor of Information Sciences at Massey

• Our personal lives are becoming ever more entwined in social networks, virtual worlds and gaming environments. While commerce and industry are increasingly dependent on new and improved information technology.
• The Bachelor of Information Sciences Information Technology major will combine your love of problem-solving, teamwork and technology with the core skills needed to analyse, design, build and manage a range of IT systems, projects and resources.

Meet the needs of future consumers

• When you study the Bachelor of Information Sciences (Information Technology), you will examine the huge range of technology that we use. You’ll gain skills in designing and building systems that will meet the needs of consumers today and in the future. 

In demand

• IT employers are constantly seeking skilled staff. High demand areas include software development, software testing, business analysis, network security, project management and data/database.

What will I learn?
You will gain skills in:

• The analysis, design and deployment of complex information technologies
• The use of professional software tools, and the administrative and organisational aspects of IT
• How to work in a team in the IT environment
• Topics such as computer security, internet features, user interface design and more.

Information technology can also be taken together with the major in computer science (double major), or another minor of your choice.

Further study

• Upon successful completion of this qualification you could go on to a Master of Information Sciences (by thesis only). This is a 120-credit research qualification for those who have completed the Bachelor of Information Sciences (Hons) or Postgraduate Diploma in Information Sciences (with minimum B grade average or better)

Planning information
This is a guide. You are advised to check the regulations for the latest course information.

• If you are a full-time student, your first year usually consists of eight courses.  Take electives (or courses from other majors) to get the total number of courses to eight.  Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.  You can change your major up until the start of your second year and it is a good idea to keep your options open by taking courses such that you are ready to move on to several different majors.  

In the first year of study, you should take the following courses:

• 158100 Information Technology Principles
• 158120 Web-based IT Fundamental
• 159.100 Programming for Engineering and Technology or 159101 Applied Programming
• At least one statistics course – one of 161111 or 297101 Statistical Data Science. Note: 297101 is more relevant to computing majors
• 247112 Science and Sustainability for ICT (or another Science and Sustainability course)

Take elective courses to make up eight courses.  Recommended elective: 157151

It is a good idea to keep your options open for a double major or possibly changing your major. 

See the regulations for the required courses at 200-level and 300-level.

Minors

• Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.

A minor must be in a different subject from your major.

• A Bachelor of Information Sciences (Information Technology) with a minor
• You may choose a minor from any University undergraduate degree that has recognised minors. If the minor is from another undergraduate degree, the regulations of that qualification will apply.

An information technology minor (for students who are studying a different degree)  
If you are not studying towards a Bachelor of Information Sciences (Information Technology) and wish to complete a minor in information technology see the regulations for the requirements of this minor.  

Computer requirements
You will need:

• Computer (laptop or desktop) (Mac or Windows) - needs to be no more than two years old at the commencement of your study
• Recent version of operating systems
• Chromebooks are not suitable

Careers and job opportunities

• Knowing the potential of information technology and having the ability to put this knowledge to work can result in a successful personal career, organisations that reach their goals, and a higher quality of life.
• Information technology graduates command some of the highest salaries of any career.
• There is a strong demand for qualified ICT professionals, both in New Zealand and overseas.

The skills you learn at Massey University and the qualification you will receive are recognised throughout the world. Careers of previous graduates include:

• Business and systems analysts
• User experience (UX) designers
• User support specialists
• Cybersecurity experts
• Data administrators
• Application testers
• Trainers
• Web developers
• Team leaders
• Project managers

There are a huge number of job opportunities in this area worldwide.